Texas Rangers Blog

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Josh Hamilton has already predicted 96 wins for the Rangers in 2010 and Julio Borbon has said folks should be disappointed if he doesn’t steal 50 bases in his first full season. Now you can add Nelson Cruz to the list of Rangers making bold predictions.

Asked if he was capable of having a 30-homer, 30-steal season, Cruz wholeheartedly said he was. Then, when asked if he cared to guarantee it, he thought for a moment before saying he would, in fact, become the second Ranger in as many years to join the 30-30 club.

“In the minors [in 2008], I was going to do it, but got hurt and then got called up,” Cruz said. “Last year, I had a good chance before I hurt my ankle. I just hope that I can stay healthy this year. If I stay healthy, I can do it.”

Cruz, who hit 33 homers last year, had nine steals after the first two months of the season, just about the proper pace for a 30-steal season. Though he fell off somewhat, he still entered August with 17, but sprained his ankle in a fall at Oakland and effectively stopped running. He had only three more steals, all in September and finished the year with 20.

If he does do it, it will likely be a surprise to manager Ron Washington. Washington said he has three players capable of 30-steal seasons (Julio Borbon, Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler). When told of Cruz’s guarantee, Washington said only: “Good for him.”

It brings up another lingering question about how much Washington actually trusts Cruz. He often talked about his streakiness last year, has already said he wouldnt play him in left field in order to maximize the club’s right-handedness against lefties. And last year, there were several instances when it looked as if Washington didn’t quite believe in Cruz. After the Cruz the Rangers saw in 2007 and the spring of 2008, that’s understandable. One of the other “ifs” in this campy that has more “IF” than the JIF Peanut Butter display at a bulk grocery store, is whether Cruz can repeat his power-packed 2009 season. Washington’s apparent skepticism about Cruz’s staying power is evidence that is a legitimate question.

• Josh Hamilton’s bruise is just a bruise; x-rays determined that on Thursday. What is significant about his left shoulder situation is that Hamilton is extremely fragile. He kind of tumbled as he lunged for a fly ball on Wednesday and hasn’t gotten on the field since. Wonder how long before he’s considered strictly a DH simply because getting him on the field is too risky.

• The Rangers will play “B” games on March 7th and 12th against Kansas City. With 31 pitchers in camp, B games are a necessity to get pitchers the necessary work. They are pitching coaches’ dreams and sportswriters banes. But they are free to the public and a chance to watch a dress-rehearsal type exhibition. The Rangers are also playing intra-squad games on Monday and Tuesday of the coming week.

• Musical admission of the day: I’m already quite over the Nickelback thing. They are the answer to this question: Can one group be overplayed on satellite radio? Yes. Oh, gracious yes. But now I find my spirits lifted just a little bit when Lady Antebellum comes on. Lady Antellebum. Wow.